Gerald "Jerry" J. Zadina

Dad was an extremely caring and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and above that husband. He loved Mom more than anything else in this world and we are glad to know that they reunited and together again. They loved and supported each other so much and really were the best team. Dad enjoyed getting to connect with people – his face would always light up anytime his grandkids and great-grandkids would come and visit. Dad also loved camping, fishing, and canoeing with his family. In the summertime, he drove us all over the country in our station wagon. Some of the most memorable trips included our drives to Colorado, Las Vegas, various national parks, and Disneyland. People knew Dad for many things, one of them was that he had a way of figuring out how to fix just about anything and was willing to help you if you ever needed it. If you didn’t know, he built our house on the corner of 84th & Q with the help of family and friends. He would happily spend time in his workshop with any of the kids (or grandkids) that wanted to learn something new! Dad also loved old cars, proudly showing off his 1964 Nova at car shows with Jerry and the boys. His favorite saying was “I’d rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford”. Let’s just say that if you showed up with a brand-new shiny Ford, expect to be teased. Speaking of teasing people, Dad was a known jokester and loved to mess around with people, especially when they gave it right back. When you asked him how he was doing, he would always reply “I’m still kickin”. If you wanted something, say a chocolate chip cookie, he would tell you could have it, but it would cost you a quarter. Another favorite saying of his was that he was going to Lily White’s party, and you knew that meant he was going to bed. Dad also had nicknames for everyone – Sassafras, Pigtails, Miss Nebraska, Petunia, and for the little kids – Poopers and Stinkers. Growing up, Dad would sing Rise and Shine Little Babies – nothing gets you up faster than him singing at the top of his lungs, mostly because you wanted him to stop. He also had a small growth by his ear and would tell all the little kids that it was how he adjusted his built-in alarm clock. Dad would always tell us that when he was a kid, they could only afford one pork chop (or a hot dog). His father would put it on a string and swing it around the table, so you would be lucky to get a lick or a bite. Most famously, Dad lost a part of a finger in a meat grinder accident. If you didn’t know it was a meat grinder, now you do – he would always tell several versions of how it happened, changing the story each time. You might have heard that he got hungry and bit it off or lost it in a fan…

Dad passed away on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in La Vista, Nebraska at the age of 89 years. He was surrounded by his family and left the world very peacefully. We are sure that Mom greeted him with a big hug and kiss. Dad was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years Marcella R. Zadina whom he loved more than anything; parents John and Mary Zadina; siblings Louis Zadina, Lorriane Van Houtte, and MaryLou Fabich; great-granddaughter Paisley.

He is survived by his children Jerry (Carol) Zadina, Vicki (Jim) Benes, Laura (George) Thomas, Steve (Brenda) Zadina; grandchildren Jerry (Emily) Zadina, Emily (Matt) Hutsell, Mindy Sohl, John Benes, Katie Thomas, Ellie Thomas, Allison (Scott) Ledwich, Caitlin Zadina, and Darby (Bobby) Petersen; and great-grandchildren Caden, Alivia, Kylie, Bennett, Jacob, Gabe, Connor, Tyler, Logan, Addison, Addilyn, Cayson and two more great-grandchildren on the way; and many nieces, nephews, and other family

Memorial may be directed to the Zadina Family.